The Main Street Plainfield, Inc. FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM is intended to provide financial assistance for exterior building façade improvements in the historic commercial district in downtown Plainfield. The goal of the program is to attract shoppers and catalyze investment through improved aesthetics. The Main Street Plainfield Design Review Committee will follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings when reviewing grant applications. Guidelines may be found at: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tax/rhb/stand.htm

Pre-application design assistance is strongly encouraged. 

Façade Grants have a maximum award of $15,000 per façade. A corner building or free standing building with two visible facades may be eligible for two grants up to a maximum of $30,000. Awarded Grant(s) are not to exceed 50% of the total project cost. If a building has two facades visible from major streets, then the applicant must determine which façade will be eligible for the primary façade and which façade will be eligible as the secondary façade. If two separate buildings relate to a primary or secondary façade on the same street and have two separate postal addresses, then it would be eligible for two separate façade grants. If two separate buildings relate to a primary or secondary façade on the same street but they have the same postal address, then they are eligible for one façade grant.

A property owner who owns multiple properties in the district is eligible for no more than two (2) façade grants per calendar year. Any eligible building in the district is eligible for no more than one (1) façade grant per calendar year. Grants are made on a reimbursement basis, following an application procedure, design review and approval, and construction. Disbursement is contingent upon submission of cost invoices from certified contractors and tradesmen and inspection of the work. 

Eligible Properties 

• Intended grant recipients are within the Main Street Designated District. The district is roughly Pickett St to the East, White Lick Creek to the West, Carter St to the South, and Krewson St to the North. 

• Priority will be given to buildings located within the historic district or eligible for listing; however, the Design Review Committee has the discretion to grant funds to other significant buildings if the need of improvements and benefit to the community is deemed to be substantial.

Eligible Activities 

• Window repair/replacement/restoration of historic/original/existing windows;

• Restoration of original façade; 

• Masonry repair; 

• Painting or cleaning, with appropriate methods that will not damage building;

• Cornices, entrances, doors, decorative detail; 

• Lighting, signs, window display areas; 

• Other activities that restore the original exterior architecture;

• Architectural fees associated with the façade improvements. 

Ineligible Activities 

• Interior work; 

• Activities not visible from the public right-of-way, unless a necessary component of façade improvement work; 

• Activities inconsistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings; 

• Demolition or acquisition of property; 

• Permit Fees; 

• Sidewalks or paving; 

• Repair or creation of features not consistent with original architecture, including graffiti remediation. 

Guidelines and Application Procedure 

• Prior approval of the Main Street Plainfield Design Review Committee is necessary. No work that has already been started will be eligible for funding through this grant.

• The applicant must be the owner of the building, or if a lessee, must have written permission from the building owner for the work proposed. 

• Projects must be completed within 1 year of approval. After 1 year, the applicant must re-apply for funds with no guarantee. 

• Whenever possible, local (Hendricks County) contractors, materials, and tradesmen should be used for the work. Contractors, electricians, and other tradesmen should all be licensed in their field. 

• Volunteer work is permitted on projects but is not a billable item, therefore volunteer work/time is ineligible for grant funding. 

• Main Street Plainfield Inc. reserves the right to approve or deny any application for any reason. 

• Upon completion of work, all receipts must be presented and a member from the MSP Design Review Committee must inspect the completed work before disbursement of funds.

• No funding will be provided for work that deviates from the approved application, if the changes were not submitted and approved by the Main Street Plainfield Design Review Committee. 

• Applicants are encouraged to apply for the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits. Assistance with that process can be provided upon request. 

• The applicant must obtain all required building permits from the Town of Plainfield. 

Applicants please complete the form below with the listed supporting documents.